Please help/new to Guild

[littlebiscuit]

Actually, I'm also new to guitar.....been playing 4 months and already have two guitars, working on a third. Which is exactly where I hope your help, helps me make a decision. I've played piano since I was 7, but the guitar has always seduced me, so at the ripe old age of 32, I began my acoustic quest. It seems that merely mastering the guitar (sarcasm ensued) is not enough. Apparently I am afflicted with a disease...a disease that goes by the acronym GAS!! My first guitar that I purchased was a Seagull mini jumbo ( a fairly nice little guitar I think). But then it happened... I found the world of Guild and this website and have been enthralled ever since. I bought my first guild two months ago....a '77 D-50. WOW....just WOW... and now I am looking to purchase a '68 F 30 from a buddy of mine this weekend. It looks to be in very good condition, he had it setup about six years ago. However, that's when it happened. USPS dropped the darn thing right on the tailpiece!!! So it appears to have a crack (which was repaired by a luthier) that spans about an inch on both sides of the tailpiece. Being a novice guitar player and knowing very little about the structure of the guitar body, I was hoping that I could get some experienced opinions on this type of damage on a guitar such as this. I will do my best to post this image correctly so that you can see the damage in question. Again the rest of the guitar is very close to mint condition. Of course I will play the guitar and listen for myself how the guitar sounds, but I still very much value the opinions of those more knowledgeable than myself. The serial # is AI 1909 which I believe is a '68 (if I'm reading the charts correctly) And by the way, just curious, if it is a 68 then it was probably made in Hoboken correct? (it does have a Hoboken label) I know that it was around this time that the plant was being moved to Westerly, so again just curious. I think that it would be pretty cool to have a Guild from each era! Thank you so much for your help in advance! I'm looking forward to being a member here!

 

[dapmdave]

Welcome to LTG, little biscuit. Those old F-30s are really nice little guitars!

This type of damage is fairly common. It happens when someone drops the guitar onto the strap button. Always a good idea to remove it prior to shipping (but you already knew that).

Your post says it's been repaired? Looks to be still cracked, so I'm not sure what to tell you. Aside from the obvious, there may be loose or cracked braces inside, so a thorough visual inspection is in order. It's all pretty basic for a good luthier, and depending on your location folks here on LTG may be able to recommend someone.

Your s/n does point to 1968. I'd guess that it was made in Westerly, in spite of what the label says.

Dave

 

[GardMan]

Well repaired, that tail crack would have no effect on the structure or tone of the guitar. If you looked inside, the tail block probably also was split (the end pin acted like a wedge when it hit). The correct repair would be work some glue into the crack, and then glue a thin would shim/spline (I don't know what to call it) across the cracked tail block to re-inforce it, then re-drill that for the end pin.

Here's a pic of the repaired tailblock of my D-44 (from the inside):

I think it cost $50 for the work.

It might be possible to touch up/meld the finish, would make the crack less obvious from the outside... but that might cost more than it's really worth. If you look at the right side of the top (inside), you can also see two cleats on a soundboard crack.

Oh, and welcome to LTG!

 

[GardMan]

One more thing...

It's possible that your F-30 was assembled in Westerly, from parts made in Hoboken. Guild continued to use the Hoboken labels for a while, even after production had moved to Westerly. Hans Moust (author of the Guild Guitar Book and frequent contributor to the forum) might be able tell you more...

Enjoy!

 

[Ridgemont]

The older the F30, the more it is coveted. It should be an easy fix, and if you do buy it, get yourself a good case....not the crummy stock case that it may come with.

Funny, I too had a Seagull that I sold once I found Guild. The Guild that made me want a Guild was the F30. I stumbled through a couple GAD30s and D25s before Treem helped me find my '98. It is a bit different than yours I imagine. The F30s of the '90s seem to be more of a 00-size rather than the standard 000. Still, it has a nice dry, woody, fundamental sound to it. You can't go wrong with an F30, no matter what year.

Welcome.

 

[killdeer43]

You're already getting a lot of good advice, so I'll just extend a rainy Pacific Northwest welcome and encourage you to stick around.
You'll like it here! :wink:

Joe

 

[Yoko Oh No]

i've touched up a similar crack myself...it's really quite easy to do yourself. PM me if you want to know how to do it.

good luck

 

[learnintoplay62]

Welcome to the forum Little biscuit. Grab that baby if you can, we won't talk anyone out of buying guits

 

[Geo]

Welcome to LTG littlebiscuit.

Looks like the binding is lifting a little also.

I'd buy it if the price is right.

George

 

[littlebiscuit]

Thank you all so much for all the advice so far! He's asking $1200. Does that seem in the ballpark for this model/year given the damage? I'm definitely going to look inside with a camera and look at the braces to see if they are ok....thanks for the visual of about what I should see! Again thank you all for your help and your welcomes!

 

[micklevanon]

Welcome LB. Being bitten by Guild Acquisition Syndrome is a mighty affliction indeed! But be forewarned, I don't believe there's a known cure.

F30s are nice, and the damage doesn't look that extensive. The price does seem a bit high considering the damage, but that may just be my perception. If it was not damaged it would be a different story.

my 2 cents
mick

 

[adorshki]

F30s are nice, and the damage doesn't look that extensive. The price does seem a bit high considering the damage, but that may just be my perception. If it was not damaged it would be a different story.

HI "Biscuit", and welcome from here too. Only going by what I've seen hanging around here, yeah it does sound a tad high on price, but yeah, they're not that common, that old, either. Plusses would be having a case and verifying neck angle looks good. Does straightedge extended from the end of the fingerboard hit the top of the bridge, or real close to it? That's a good place to start that evaluation, along with checking the action is still "good".
There may also be a certain amount of value you put on buying from a friend, for "peace of mind", and knowing its repair history.
In the end, any guitar is only worth what it actually sells for, no matter what a price guide says.

 

[littlebiscuit]

Thank you for all of your help! It's given me a few things to think about. I make the short drive tomorrow to give her a test run, and I guess we'll see what happens! I'm also looking at that early sixties F 30 posted from goodwill on the sellers forum. But it makes me extremely nervous buying a guitar that I can't put my hands on! (especially because I don't have the first clue about restoring an old guitar, haha)

 

[adorshki]

Thank you for all of your help! It's given me a few things to think about. I make the short drive tomorrow to give her a test run, and I guess we'll see what happens! I'm also looking at that early sixties F 30 posted from goodwill on the sellers forum. But it makes me extremely nervous buying a guitar that I can't put my hands on! (especially because I don't have the first clue about restoring an old guitar, haha)

I think everybody here would always agree that the "bird in the hand" should always get top priority. :wink:

 

[bluesypicky]

Welcome biscuit, enjoy the wonderful place, and thanks for your refreshing idea of "ripe age".... I know it had a few of us smile round'here. :lol:

 

[littlebiscuit]

Of course, once you pull the cash out of the bank, the second thoughts start invading the mind! I hate GAS!!! of all kind! :roll:

 

[JerryR]

Hi Littlebiscuit - possibly a tad high by US prices (would be what I'd expect in the UK) but hey - a Guild is a Guild :wink:

I too didn't start to try and play guitar until about age 30. 33 years later I'm still trying :roll:

 

[littlebiscuit]

Well........ I brought home a new little sister for my D-50, the 68 F30 is now a part of the family!! thank you all very much for your help. Images soon to follow!

 

[adorshki]

Well........ I brought home a new little sister for my D-50, the 68 F30 is now a part of the family!! thank you all very much for your help. Images soon to follow!

Congrats!!. We'll keep watching this space for pics.